When The Original Misfits announced their first reunion shows, it was pretty surprising considering Glenn Danzig and Jerry Only had been in a lengthy legal dispute over the band’s trademarks and profits. The performances ended up going good and the band continued booking concerts, leading many to believe the two no longer had any animosity towards each other. However, D.X. Ferris has since obtained legal documents for MetalSucks that seem to suggest that the whole reunion was just a contractual obligation following a settlement between the musicians.

Before they reunited, the trademark dispute appeared to turn against Danzig, but Only apparently decided to make a deal in an effort to get the singer to front the band for 10 reunion shows. The unsigned draft of the settlement that MetalSucks got a hold of included the following provisions:

– The parties would co-own the classic Misfits graphics (1977 through 1983), including the Crimson Ghost Fiend skull and the Misfits horror-font logo. Jerry Only would receive 100% of the income from “Fiend Skull derivatives” relating to his time leading the band without Danzig after the 1995 settlement, with Danzig retaining 100% ownership of his Misfits designs during that period as well.

– Official Misfits shirts would be available via a high-powered cabal: Live Nation would produce Fiend Skull T-shirts and sell them to Hot Topic.

– Jerry Only and his company would continue to have the exclusive rights to perform and record as The Misfits. For the reunion shows, according to this draft, Danzig and Only would partner 50/50 as The Original Misfits, pay the rest of the band as hired guns, and split the profits.

– This is the important part: according to the draft of the settlement, “The parties agree to perform no fewer than ten (10) Misfits reunion shows to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the band.”

The group have already played six shows and currently have the following three booked:

Assuming the final settlement is similar to the draft, the band still have one more show to be announced, unless they change their minds and do more. Considering how much money the band have been making from these concerts, it wouldn’t be too shocking if they did decide to keep going.

The Original Misfits have announced a Chicago, IL reunion show with Fear, Venom Inc, and Power Trip. That event will take place on April 27 at the Allstate Arena. The Misfits’ previous reunion shows have seen Danzig, Jerry Only, and Doyle performing with guest musicians Dave Lombardo (ex-Slayer, etc.) and Acey Slade (ex-Murderdolls, etc.). However, it is worth noting that Doyle isn’t mentioned on the below poster:

The Original Misfits, featuring Glenn Danzig, Jerry Only, and Doyle, returned home for their first New Jersey show in 35 years. The concert was held on May 19 at the Prudential Center in Newark. The band once again enforced a strict no phone policy, like they did at previous reunion shows, but some footage has surfaced, and can be seen below:

The Original Misfits, featuring Danzig, Jerry Only, and Doyle, have officially announced that they will be playing a show at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on May 19. Suicidal Tendencies and Murphy’s Law will serve as support.